Mounjaro vs Bydureon BCise

Mounjaro and Bydureon are brand names for prescription drugs used in combination with diet and other lifestyle changes to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Here we will explain how they work, their similarities and differences, their side effects, and more. This should provide you with the basics to better understand your options.

What is Mounjaro?

Mounjaro is an FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) approved medication manufactured by Eli Lilly and Co. Mounjaro mimics 2 types of incretin hormones produced by the human body. It is classed as a GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist. GIP decreases food intake and increases energy expenditure which causes weight loss. When taken with a GLP-1 receptor agonist, it may result in greater positive effects on blood glucose and body weight.

Mounjaro is used to treat adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is not for use in people with type 1 diabetes or pancreatitis, or to treat children under 18 years of age.

FDA approval for Mounjaro was based on the SURPASS study, which compared Mounjaro with Ozempic, insulin glargine (long-acting insulin), semaglutide 1 mg, and insulin degludec. Participants who took Mounjaro experienced an average reduction in hemoglobin A1c, and HbA1c (an indicator of blood sugar level). Participants who took a placebo saw an average increase in A1C levels.

Novo Nordisk manufactures a higher-dose weight loss medication version of Ozempic called Wegovy for patients with obesity. It is expected that Lilly may do the same with Mounjaro.

Mounjaro dosage

Mounjaro is available in injection form, in the following doses: 2.5 mg/0.5 mL, 5 mg/0.5 mL, 7.5 mg/0.5 mL, 10 mg/0.5 mL, 12.5 mg/0.5 mL, or 15 mg/0.5 mL single-dose pens.

Mounjaro is injected subcutaneously in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm once weekly, with or without food. If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as possible within 96 hours after the missed dose. If more than 4 days have passed, skip the missed dose and take your next dose on the regularly scheduled day.

Use Mounjaro alongside dietary changes and exercise to improve glycemic control. Also, read the full prescribing information and always speak with a healthcare professional about any changes to your dose so they can monitor and evaluate your condition.

What is Bydureon?

Bydureon is an FDA-approved (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) medication manufactured by AstraZeneca. Bydureon is used to help control blood sugar levels in diabetes, a condition where the body is unable to produce enough insulin or does not respond to the insulin made as it normally would. This can lead to high blood sugar levels. Bydureon may also be used for the treatment of Parkinson’s and also as a weight-loss therapy.

Exenatide, the active ingredient is classed as an incretin mimetic and is used alongside diet and exercise in diabetes. Incretins such as glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1), improve insulin release that is dependent on blood glucose. Exenatide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist and has been shown in lab tests to attach to and stimulate the human GLP-1 receptor. This increases glucose-dependent insulin production from the pancreas as well as the release of insulin from pancreatic beta-cells.

Exenatide reduces inappropriately high levels of secretion of glucagon, increases insulin release from pancreatic beta-cells when blood glucose levels are high, and slows the time it takes for food to empty from the stomach. This combined action enables exenatide to help control blood glucose levels.

Bydureon dosage

Bydureon is available as an extended-release injectable suspension, in the following forms:

• 2 mg of exenatide in single-dose vials
• Single-dose pens containing 2 mg of exenatide

Bydureon BCise is given as an injection under your skin and is usually injected once every 7 days. Bydureon can be used with or without food and given at any time of the day.

Common side effects of Mounjaro and Bydureon

The most common side effects of Mounjaro in clinical trials include:

• Nausea, vomiting
• Gastrointestinal – diarrhea, decreased appetite, constipation, indigestion, abdominal pain

More serious side effects of Mounjaro include:

• Possible thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer – do not use Mounjaro if you or any of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
• Inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis) – symptoms include severe pain in your stomach area that will not go away, with or without vomiting
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) – Your risk for low blood sugar may be increased if you use Mounjaro with another diabetes medication such as a sulfonylurea or insulin
• Serious allergic reactions
• Kidney problems
• Severe stomach problems
• Changes in vision
• Gallbladder problems

The most common side effects of Bydureon in clinical trials include:

• Nausea, vomiting
• Gastrointestinal side effects – diarrhea, constipation, and indigestion
• Headache
• Itching or a bump at the injection site

More serious side effects of Bydureon include:

• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Severe nausea and vomiting
• Pain, swelling, or other skin reaction where the shot is given
• Swelling in your neck or throat, difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, fever, increased heart rate, yellow color to eyes or skin
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) – headache, dizziness, weakness
• Painful, difficult, or low urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, tiredness or shortness of breath

These aren’t all the side effects Mounjaro or Bydureon can cause. You can find more details in the patient leaflet that comes with your medication. If you have any concerns about side effects, talk to your physician or pharmacist.

Mounjaro and Bydureon drug interactions

Mounjaro can interact with other medications. These include:

• Insulin secretagogue – sulfonylurea or Insulin
• Oral medications
• Orally administered hormonal contraceptives

Bydureon can interact with other medications. These include:

• Treatments for skin cancer
• Treatments for HIV/AIDS
• Diuretics, taken to treat high blood pressure
• Steroid treatment
• Treatment for hypertension
• Anti-coagulants – warfarin
• ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors
• Antibiotics

Mounjaro and Bydureon can interact with other medications. This can change how Mounjaro and Bydureon and other medications work and can make side effects more likely. Tell your prescribing physician about all your drugs, including vitamins and dietary supplements.

Mounjaro and Bydureon contraindications

You should not use Mounjaro if you:

• Are allergic to the active ingredient tirzepatide
• Are allergic to any of the other ingredients in Mounjaro

Talk to your doctor before using Mounjaro if you:

• Are taking any of the medications that could interact with Mounjaro
• Have or have had problems with your pancreas or kidneys
• Have severe problems with your stomach
• Have a history of diabetic retinopathy
• Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant – If you take oral birth control pills by mouth, you may be recommended another type of birth control for 4 weeks after you start Mounjaro and for 4 weeks after each increase in your dose
• Are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. It is not known if Mounjaro passes into your breast milk

You should not use Bydureon if you:

• Are allergic to the active ingredient exenatide
• Are allergic to any of the other ingredients in Bydureon
• Have a personal or family history of thyroid cancer
• Have multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2, cancer that can affect the thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal glands)
• Have a history of low platelets while using exenatide
• Are younger than 18 years of age

Talk to your doctor before using Bydureon if you:

• Are taking any of the medications that could interact with Bydureon
• Have kidney disease or have had a kidney transplant
• Have a stomach disorder
• Have pancreatitis
• Have gall stones
• Are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant
• Are breastfeeding or are planning to breastfeed

Other drugs for diabetes

• Adlyxin (lixisenatide)
• Byetta (exenatide)
• Novolin N (isophane insulin)
• Novolin R (regular insulin)
• Lantus (insulin glargine)
• Metformin
• Ozempic (semaglutide)
• Rybelsus (semaglutide)
• Saxenda (liraglutide)
• Trulicity (dulaglutide)
• Victoza (liraglutide)
• Xultophy (insulin degludec and liraglutide)

If you have any concerns about Mounjaro or Bydureon side effects, talk to your physician, or pharmacist for medical advice. Also inform your healthcare provider about any medical conditions, supplements, and over-the-counter meds you are taking. You are also encouraged to report side effects to the FDA: visit http://www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.